Dozens of people are backing calls to demolish a newly-constructed house as it’s been built too tall and overshadows neighbouring properties.

Owner Asif Naseem originally secured permission to create the family home in Sandwell Place, Lightwood, two years ago.

But the house – which was supposed to have two storeys – has been built with dormer windows in the eaves and the roof ridge is two metres higher than on the approved plans.

Now officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council are recommending two retrospective planning applications covering the alterations are thrown out. And the planning committee, which meets this Wednesday, is being asked to sanction enforcement action instead, which would see the property bulldozed.

The newly built house in Sandwell Place, Lightwood

It comes as more than 30 objections have been submitted to the local authority, along with seven letters in support of the scheme.

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Trevor Fisher, who lives in neighbouring Castleton Road, said: “What is the point of having a planning process if people just go ahead and build what they like?”

In his letter, he added: “The council needs to send a strong message that deliberate attempts to flout laws will not be tolerated.”

Adam Carney, who also lives in Castleton Road, described the house as ‘imposing, overbearing and an incongruous addition to the street scene’.

He said: "I believe no resident on this estate is against development on this site. The issue is that it has not been built to the approved plans, hence it is out of character and is visually intrusive."

Residents have also expressed concerns about loss of privacy.

But supporters say the house has been built to an attractive, bespoke and contemporary design, with a large glazed feature running from ground level up to the roof space.

Mr Naseem claimed the house has improved the plot of land, which used to be home to a builder’s yard and had become a target for fly-tipping.

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He said: “When I bought this land, it already had two planning permissions for roughly the same house. I wanted to add a bit on and make it a bit bigger, so put in two more applications and both passed.

“There was an issue with a neighbour and a balcony at the back, so I came to the agreement not to have a balcony at the back. Then this has come out the blue after my builder made a mistake by 700 millimetres.

“I am a not a builder or architect and have made no gain from this mistake. My immediate neighbours have not complained. I don't know where these complaints have come from."

But a report to the planning committee states: “The dwelling is highly visible within the public domain and the height increase, coupled with the vertical features, is considered to be materially harmful to the visual amenity of the area.”

It says the problems are partly due to the excavations not being dug deep enough, which has meant the foundations of the house have been laid at too high a level.